HATTIESBURG
--
A collaboration between The University of Southern Mississippi's
Museum of Art and Department of Economic Development will bring
to campus the person most responsible for bringing world-class exhibitions
to Mississippi for two free lectures Sept. 16 about his experiences
in economic development.

Jack Kyle,
executive director of the Mississippi Commission for International
Cultural Exchange (MCICE) in Jackson, was responsible for organizing
the largest art exhibitions ever presented in Mississippi: The Palaces
of St. Petersburg, The Splendors of Versailles, The Majesty of Spain,
and the upcoming Glory of Baroque Dresden, all held in Jackson.

"Jack
Kyle is a native Mississippian and an advocate of the importance
of the arts in the life of every person," said Jay Dean, musical
director for the university's Symphony Orchestra. "I, through
the Symphony, have had an active association with him on all the
exhibitions he has brought to Mississippi and have learned a great
deal about promotion from him."

The first session,
sponsored by the Department of Economic Development at 2:30 p.m.
at the Gonzales Auditorium in the Liberal Arts Building, will address
"Utilizing the Arts to Improve the Economy and International
Image of Mississippi."

The second
session, presented by the Museum of Art at 4 p.m. in the Museum's
Woods Art Gallery, will address "Having the Vision to Develop
an International Arts Career" and "What It Takes to Present
an International Arts Exhibition."

"These
lectures shall be most informative to those interested in the arts,
economic development, public relations or event promotion,"
said Tony Lewis, director of the Museum of Art at Southern Miss.
"Jack Kyle has done much to make Mississippi a cultural destination."

Kyle, a graduate
of Delta State University who served in the United States Navy,
has been the executive director of MCICE since its inception in
1994. Under his leadership, more than $30 million has been expended
in organizing and presenting three internationally acclaimed art
exhibitions.

Yet, The Palaces
of St. Petersburg, The Splendors of Versailles, and The Majesty
of Spain exhibitions attracted more than one million visitors to
Jackson, produced $10 million in tax revenue, generated an economic
impact of $150 million, and garnered unprecedented media coverage
including the New York Times; Good Morning, America; USA Today;
and CBS News, as well as extensive international media coverage.

In 2002, Kyle
signed contracts in Dresden, Germany, for Jackson to host the first
major art exhibition from the State Art Collections Dresden in North
America in 2004, called The Glory of Baroque Dresden.

Both lecture
sessions are free and open to the public. For more information,
call (601) 266-4035.

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April 20, 2004 4:09 PM